The Detroit City Council today approved agreements — including a nearly $20-million brownfield tax incentive — and exemptions tied to the Detroit Pistons' practice facility downtown, despite concerns raised by residents and two council members.

The approvals came more than half a year after negotiations between the city and the Pistons began.

The council voted 7-2 on a development agreement, memorandum of understanding and a brownfield redevelopment plan related to the practice facility and corporate offices.

Council President Brenda Jones and Councilwoman Raquel Castañeda-López were the lone no votes. The council also approved four other items for the development.

“Our organization is pleased with the result of today’s approvals, as this is an important step in our return to Detroit," said Kevin Grigg, the Pistons' vice president of public relations. "We are excited about our move back to the city and continuing our efforts to impact the community on multiple fronts.”

The multiuse facility will be built in the New Center area and will serve as the Pistons team headquarters, practice facility and comprehensive sports-medicine facility managed by the Henry Ford Health System. It will be called the Henry Ford-Detroit Pistons Performance Center.

Henry Ford will become the official health care provider for the Pistons beginning with the next season, although the entire team operation likely won't complete its move until sometime in 2018.

According to officials, a ground-breaking is set to happen this month; an exact date has yet to be set.

Before the council's vote, several residents and community leaders voiced displeasure — and support — for the deal.

Jones said that while the Pistons have committed to 51% of construction jobs being for Detroiters — a mark Olympia Development acknowledged last year that it is struggling to meet — she remains concerned that it's unclear how many of those Detroiters will be hired post-construction at the arena and practice facility.

"If there is good faith, put it in writing," she said. "If something is in writing then we are not back at the table days from now or years from now saying, 'Well someone told us what they will do.' There is nothing in writing that is saying that there will be Detroiters. There is nothing guaranteeing me something for Detroiters."

Prior to the vote, Castañeda-López told the Free Press that she still had concerns about the Pistons' move. The arena is in District 6, which is her district. The practice facility is in Councilwoman Mary Sheffield's District 5.

The council voted today on the following:

A development agreement between the City of Detroit and Pistons Performance.

A memorandum of understanding between the City of Detroit and Palace Sports and Entertainment.

A brownfield redevelopment plan.

A commercial rehabilitation district and commercial rehabilitation exemption.

Two personal property tax exemptions.

The construction of the $83-million practice facility and corporate headquarters involves the Brownfield Redevelopment Plan worth nearly $20 million in publicly funded reimbursements.

"I am not in support of the deal as presented," Castañeda-López said. "That does not mean I don't support the Pistons. However, I need to make sure that we don't conflate our personal feelings for the team with the business deal."

She said she received a memo early Tuesday in response to more than 50 questions she submitted to Pistons officials about how the deal would affect the city and residents. Castañeda-López said she specifically asked about internships and opportunities for Detroit youths to participate in clinics and camps with the Pistons. She said the team's responses were vague.

Every council member wasn't against the plan. Council Pro-Tem George Cushingberry said he supported the deal, calling it a "concise" effort.

Public financing tied to the Pistons' move has been a major point of contention for some community members and officials. The arena project, which is estimated to cost $862 million, is anticipated to be 62% privately funded and 38% publicly funded.

Through the brownfield plan, the Downtown Development Authority — the public entity that will own the arena — will capture about $1.5 million in taxes from the Detroit Public Library, according to a legislative policy report given to the council, and more than $1 million will be captured from Wayne County Community College District.

In total, more than $20 million in local and school taxes is to be collected via the brownfield plan to reimburse Palace Sports and Entertainment.

The council will vote June 20 on a new DDA amendment proposal that would issue an additional $34.5 million in bonds to support the Pistons' relocation from Auburn Hills to the Little Caesars Arena. The DDA issued two series of 30-year bonds totaling $450 million in 2014.

The DDA is expected to capture $726 million in school property tax revenue through 2051. The money will instead be used to pay off the public investments — including bonds and interest. A spokeswoman for the Detroit Public Schools Community District told the Free Press that the new school district does not levy taxes and receives full funding from the state.

The Pistons also received the green light to create a commercial rehabilitation district and a commercial rehabilitation exemption, which gives the Pistons a tax incentive in exchange for the redevelopment of commercial property.

The Palace Sports & Entertainment and the Pistons are also set to receive two tax abatements that will lock in property taxes for 10 years, according to a Legislative Policy Division report. The abatements are expected to save Palace Sports & Entertainment and the Pistons about $476,000 based on a $5-million investment.

Senior corporate counsel representatives for the City of Detroit said today that the city is estimating it will receive about $4.96 million in income taxes from players through home games. According to the counsel, about $2.9 million is expected to be generated via coaches and other staff.

A lawsuit filed Thursday challenges public funding of the arena and the headquarters/practice facility. It was filed by government-transparency advocate Robert Davis and Detroit City Clerk candidate D. Etta Wilcoxon.

Detroiter William Davis told the council that while he is happy that the Pistons are coming to the city, he's concerned that the city too often awards tax abatements and "special deals."

"If you cut a deal with the Pistons and say that they're going to do certain things and they don't, you need to make sure that they do," he said.

Detroit voters chose a community-benefits ordinance in November backed by top city and business leaders over a grassroots competitor plan.

Proposal A would have required a community-benefits agreement for projects worth at least $15 million seeking tax breaks or a land transfer of at least $300,000.

The winning Proposal B will apply to fewer development projects because its thresholds to trigger community involvement are higher. Proposal B will affect projects with an investment of at least $75 million seeking city subsidies worth at least $1 million.

The Pistons released a 10-point community-benefits plan in November that officials touted as a jobs creator and something that would "bring millions of dollars of investment into Detroit neighborhoods."

Linda Campbell, a member of the community-benefits coalition that pushed for Proposal A, urged council to delay the vote.

"We don't believe it's a win-win," Campbell said. "We believe it's a win-lose for Detroiters. Last time we checked, the Pistons were nearly a billion-dollar enterprise and yet they come to Detroit asking for corporate welfare. I don't understand.

"There's no guarantee for post-construction jobs. They haven't even offered a decent scholarship package for our children. ...We say delay the vote. Demand a better deal for Detroiters."

Rutha Welch, who lives near the arena, said she also has "big concerns" about the development.

"I've been living over there for years, and I've seen things being built but our youth aren't benefiting," Welch said.

But Terrence Hicks and others said they're in support.

"They've already initiated a number of community-based events," Hicks said of the Pistons. "I think the new facility will expand those opportunities in Detroit."